Since 1990, Malik Books has been more than a place to buy books, it's been a cultural anchor for Los Angeles, built on the belief that stories about the Black experience deserve to be front and center and not an afterthought on a back shelf. With two locations in Los Angeles (Baldwin Hills and Culver City), the team here have spent over three decades putting African American literature, multicultural voices, and diverse perspectives into the hands of readers who've historically had to search hard to find themselves reflected on a page. In a moment when independent bookstores are fighting to survive and Black-owned businesses often struggle to get the visibility and investment they deserve, Malik Books stands as proof of what's possible when a community shows up for its own. We sat down with the owner, Malik Muhammad to talk about what it takes to build a bookstore that's also a gathering place, a literacy organization, and a legacy.

When did you open your shop, where is it located and how would you describe your bookshop?

Malik Books was founded in 1990 with a simple but powerful mission: to give voice to stories that have too often been overlooked and to inspire a lifelong love of reading. Today, we proudly serve Southern California through two locations: our original store at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall in Los Angeles and our flagship store at Westfield Culver City Mall.

More than a bookstore, Malik Books is a cultural institution, a community gathering place, and a center for learning and dialogue. We specialize in books that celebrate the African American experience, the African diaspora, multicultural voices, and diverse perspectives while welcoming readers of every background. Our shelves feature everything from children’s books and history to business, faith, health, literature, and contemporary bestsellers.

Every day we strive to create an environment where people don’t simply buy books—they discover ideas, connect with authors, celebrate culture, and strengthen community.

What made you want to own a bookshop and what are some of the joys you have in owning your shop?

Books changed my life. I realized that books are one of the greatest tools for education, self-determination, and economic empowerment. I wanted to create a place where people—especially young people—could see themselves reflected in literature and understand that their stories matter.

The greatest joy is witnessing transformation. Watching a child discover the excitement of reading, seeing families build home libraries together, helping an aspiring entrepreneur find the right business book, or hosting conversations with world-renowned authors who inspire our community—those moments remind me why this work matters.

Every customer who walks through our doors has a story, and we have the privilege of helping them write the next chapter of their own lives.

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Was there a community need you saw that wasn’t being met before you opened your shop?

Absolutely. When Malik Books opened, there were very few places where African American literature and diverse voices were prominently celebrated. Many readers struggled to find books that reflected their culture, history, and experiences.

We wanted to create more than access to books—we wanted to create access to identity, knowledge, inspiration, and opportunity.

Over the years, Malik Books has become a trusted gathering place where people come to learn, ask questions, celebrate achievements, discuss important issues, and build stronger connections. We’ve hosted hundreds of author events, school partnerships, literacy programs, and community conversations because bookstores should serve as anchors for their communities.

Here at Unanimous, we are advocates of getting everyone to read more books! Are there any special programs, incentives, or partnerships you have created?

Reading is at the heart of everything we do.

We partner with schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and community groups to bring books directly to readers. Throughout the year we host author talks, children’s story times, literacy festivals, book fairs, educator events, business leadership discussions, and cultural celebrations.

Since the pandemic, Malik Books has made literacy outreach one of our highest priorities. Through partnerships with organizations such as the Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP), schools, community organizations, corporate sponsors, and nonprofit partners, we have donated more than 10,000 new books to children throughout Los Angeles County. We believe every child deserves to own books that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and reflect the richness of their culture and experiences.

A driving force behind this effort has been Malik’s Bookmobile, our mobile literacy initiative that brings books directly into neighborhoods and school communities. The Bookmobile regularly visits public and private schools, community festivals, family events, and literacy celebrations across Los Angeles, hosting book fairs, reading events, and free book giveaways. By meeting children where they are, we’ve been able to place thousands of books directly into the hands of young readers—many receiving books of their own for the very first time.

These outreach efforts reflect our belief that literacy should never be limited by geography or economic circumstances. Whether a child visits one of our bookstores or encounters us through Malik’s Bookmobile, our mission remains the same: to ignite a love of reading, empower young minds, and strengthen communities one book at a time.

This addition gives readers a clear sense that Malik Books is not just a bookstore, but an active literacy organization. It also showcases the scale of your impact—10,000 books donated, your partnerships with BSAP and other organizations, and the important role Malik’s Bookmobile plays in reaching children across Los Angeles County.

One of our signature initiatives is the Black Children’s Book Festival, which brings together dozens of Black children’s authors, illustrators, educators, and families for a free community celebration of literacy.

We also organize large-scale author events featuring nationally recognized writers, scholars, athletes, entertainers, and business leaders because we believe meeting authors inspires people to become lifelong readers.

Our philosophy is simple:

Readers become leaders, and bookstores help build stronger communities.

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How do you decide what books to carry?

We listen.

We listen to our customers, educators, librarians, community leaders, and what’s happening in the world around us.

While we proudly specialize in African American literature and multicultural voices, we also curate books across every major category because our customers have diverse interests. We look for books that educate, inspire, entertain, challenge perspectives, and spark meaningful conversations.

Our goal isn’t simply to stock books—it’s to curate collections that help people grow personally, professionally, spiritually, and intellectually.

What are some of your favorite books currently in your bookstore, and are there certain authors you’re currently championing?

There are so many incredible books that it’s impossible to choose just a few favorites.

We’re always excited to champion both legendary authors and emerging voices. Writers like Walter Mosley, John Hope Bryant, Ibram X. Kendi, Isabel Wilkerson, Jason Reynolds, Nikki Giovanni, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou and many outstanding independent authors continue to inspire readers.

We’re also passionate about introducing customers to debut authors whose voices deserve wider recognition. One of the greatest strengths of an independent bookstore is our ability to help readers discover books they may never have encountered elsewhere. A book such as PowerNomics : The National Plan to Empower Black Americais a strategic framework developed by Dr. Claud Anderson to empower Black America economically, politically, and socially through collective action.

Malik Books gives voice to the voiceless.

What do you wish readers understood about what it takes to keep an independent bookstore like this alive?

Independent bookstores are about far more than selling books.

Every purchase supports local jobs, literacy programs, school partnerships, author events, community organizations, and cultural programming that simply wouldn’t exist without community support.

Unlike large online retailers, independent bookstores reinvest directly into their neighborhoods. Every event we host, every young reader we inspire, every local author we support, and every community partnership we build is made possible because customers choose to shop locally.

When someone buys a book from Malik Books, they aren’t simply making a purchase—they’re investing in a community institution.

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How do you think about your store as a cultural space, not just a retail one?

We often say that Malik Books is where culture, conversation, and community come together.

A bookstore should be one of the few places where people from different backgrounds can gather around ideas. We create opportunities for dialogue through author conversations, educational programming, youth engagement, business forums, civic discussions, and cultural celebrations.

Our stores have welcomed everyone from bestselling authors and entrepreneurs to educators, elected officials, athletes, artists, and first-time writers because every voice has value.

Our mission has never been simply to sell books.

Our mission is to build stronger communities through literacy, preserve culture through storytelling, and empower future generations through knowledge.

At Malik Books, we believe that books change lives—and when communities read together, communities grow stronger together.

Please make sure you follow us on Instagram and TikTok @malikbooks

Website: Malikbooks.com – We ship nationwide.

Most Valuable Perspectives (MVPQ’s) Questions with Malik!

1. What is your favorite tradition? Family Sunday Dinners.

2. You can only choose one: Olympic Medal, sneaker deal or Championship ring. Sneaker Deal because that implies funds. Many have won Olympic Media and made no money and Championship ring does not mean I will make extra money. Its all about the money at this level.

3. What is something you ask for everyday? Peace and Happiness. As I get older I have realize the ultimate aim in life is Peace.

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